Customer satisfaction is one of the biggest drivers in the energy industry, and industry executives are watching – according to the latest J.D. Power study, customer satisfaction has increased for the seventh consecutive year in the industry.

Improved prices and communications saw the biggest gains in improving customer satisfaction in 2017, the study found. The J.D. Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study also notes the utility industry implements customer satisfaction improvements at a slower rate than other industries, however.

Customers have seen cost savings, partially because of record-low natural gas prices, but also through energy efficient appliances and buildings, declining energy usage and a population shift to the south, according to a white paper by former California Public Utilities Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon.

That white paper also examined customer satisfaction, citing an Accenture Global Consumer Trends Survey that found more than half of customers switched businesses or brands in 2013 because of poor customer service. More than 80 percent of those who made a switch said the company they were doing business with could have done something to retain their business.

Earlier studies have shown that customers want information and choice – and when a utility offers customers programs or services in which they can chose to participate, their satisfaction increases. In addition, customers want more communication from their utilities, the study showed.

So how can utilities provide more choice and communication, thereby enhancing their customer satisfaction? A partnership with HomeServe USA enables utilities to offer their customers valuable repair plans for electric service line, water heaters and other home systems.

One in three homeowners don’t have even $500 set aside for an emergency home repair, according to HomeServe USA’s State of the Home survey. HomeServe can provide protection to utility customers who aren’t prepared for an emergency repair and increase customer satisfaction at the same time – at no cost to partner utilities.

HomeServe USA has an A-plus accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and an award-winning customer service team. Putting the customer first is how HomeServe does business.

A partnership with HomeServe brings your customers emergency home repair plans that deliver best-in-class service from rigorously vetted local contractors. Learn more about how a partnership can benefit utilities and their customers at www.homeserveutility.com.

JACKSON-The Jackson Municipal Utility Authority has awarded their 2017 grants to local charities through their deal with Home Serve USA, a private line insurance vendor. The MUA selected Home Serve USA in 2008 to allow the company to solicit option water and sewer line coverage for its ratepayers.

This year, the authority chose nine charities in town, each receiving an equal grant. This year, more charities became aware of the program after stories ran in JTOWN Magazine regarding the bulk of previous funding going to a charity run by Jackson Township Councilman Ken Bressi.

Adopt A Senior Organization

Bread From Heaven Café

Cub Scout Pack 204

Jackson Diamond Baseball Club

Jackson Liberty High School Cheerleading

Jackson Memorial High School Football Parents Club

Jackson Township Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association

Jackson Township High School Scholarship Fund, Inc.

Veteran’s Memorial Garden

This year the MUA did not provide funding to Inches of Hope Children’s Cancer Foundation, run by Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina’s wife, Laura. Reina’s foundation helps local children with cancer. The foundation was started after the Reinas learned their granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer.

Also not receiving funding this year was the Jackson Food Pantry. In prior years, the Food Pantry received a total of $20,729.65 to feed Jackson’s hungry.

Bressi’s charity received the second most funding during the program, receiving over $8,479.65. Most charities during that period received betweeen $1,000 and $2,650 in funding.

The MUA did not reveal the amounts awarded to each charity but said each received an equal share of the total funding available.